Search

And here we are on New Year’s Eve, and let me wish you right now a very Happy New Years. May 2014 bring you great personal success as well as success from your writing endeavors.

So, let me ask you this: what did you accomplish in 2013 with regards to your writing career? Did you meet your goals? Did you even have any goals?

I do not believe in resolutions for the New Year. I think resolutions set us up for failure and I have no desire to do that. However, I do use this time each year to reflect on the previous year and see how I did with my goals. All in all I’m pretty satisfied with my progress in 2013. I’m right on track with my five-year writing plan, and I expect to see some significant monetary rewards flowing in my direction in 2014 if the plan continues.

So how about you? If you just write for your own enjoyment then you probably don’t need to even answer that question. On the other hand, if you are a freelance writer, or a writer who has a novel in the works or other plans that involve some sort of return, then please, please sit down, write out a plan, and then write out a schedule to follow in order to achieve that plan. It is too easy to get sidetracked. It is too easy to get derailed by life. A writer needs accountability, and a well-written, detailed plan is the first step to accountability.

Hopefully 2014 will be the year when you toss aside whatever has been holding you back, and you will begin to find success.

Hey, hey, hey, Fat Albert speaks the truth! I don’t know how many times I have received an email from a fellow writer who is afraid to take the next step. For whatever reason, be it fear of failure or being put down earlier in life, they can’t pull the trigger and move past it all. Hopefully that is not you but if it is….the world needs you. The world needs more beauty from words well-crafted. Consider your responsibility to humanity and start writing.

CONTEST OF THE DAY

Here’s a fun contest. The Literal Literary Postcard Contest is accepting applications until February 1, 2014. You need a short story no more than 500 words, and a postcard. The story must be reflective of the postcard. Sound fun? You can find details here.

PROMPT OF THE DAY

You can practice for that contest by writing 500 words about this picture….who knows, this contest might be right up your alley.

WRITER OF THE DAY

I can never remember who I have highlighted in the past, and honestly I’m too lazy to go back through all of my earlier posts to find out….soooooo…..if I did this lady earlier then oh well! It never hurts to give a shout out to a quality person more than once. Say hello to Ruchira and her blog Abacadabra. You can find it here.

Bill, my plan for 2013 changed once I realized I didn’t have all the tools I needed to succeed. Now I believe I do. I have also redirected my goals and have begun to implement a plan, although I haven’t written it down. I will do so. My goal as a writer beginning 2014 is to swerve my revenue earning endeavors towards editing and concentrate on writing short stories and perhaps begin a novel. I prefer creative writing to B2B or even B2C writing, which – in being honest with myself – is why I wasn’t proactive in finding clients. I’ve learned a lot about the business end of writing, marketing and web building this year. I think my new plan will be more satisfying for me and will inspire me to move forward.

Sha, nobody works harder at preparation than you do. I hope it all works out for you in 2014. I feel good about the steps you have taken and your plan. Best wishes to you. As for the agent, I am waiting to see the contract which I should see within a week…then I’ll decide. Thanks for asking and Happy New Year to you.

I had planned on getting the first of three of my children’s books published before Christmas in 2013 but didn’t meet that goal. Now I’m aiming for February. I haven’t made any resolutions for years now as I find it hard on myself when I fail at keeping them.

And a very happy New Year to you my friend! I have a feeling you are going to soar leaps and bounds this year! 2013 was a good year for me because it made me realise a lot of strengths and weaknesses. I’ve learnt that I’m simply not good at certain things, but better at others – writing wise. This year I’m not going in every direction and running around like a headless chicken, I’m focusing on those strengths and I’m soooooo excited. Bill Cosby’s quotes rock! Have a super day 🙂

Happy New Year Mel and thanks for your comment. I’m excited for you; finding direction is so important. It takes some of us a very long time to find that direction, but once we do we soar. That’s what I’m expecting from you….soaring!